China marks 75 years of Communist Party rule as economic challenges and security threats linger

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Hong Kong marked China’s National Day on Tuesday with traditional official events, and no protests. Hong Kong’s leader, Chief Executive John Lee attended a flag raising event in the morning on the shore of Victoria Harbour.

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Chinese President Xi Jinping warned on Monday of “difficulties and obstacles” ahead for China, but said no challenges would stop the nation from “moving forward.” Xi was speaking at an annual banquet held on the eve of the country’s National Day. (AP video by Emily Wang Fujiyama)

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Thousands of fireworks exploded over Hong Kong’s Victoria Harbour Tuesday night to mark China’s national day, but a planned drone show didn’t work.

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Leaders and invited guests stand as Chinese President Xi Jinping arrives for a dinner marking the 75th anniversary of the founding of the People’s Republic of China, at the Great Hall of the People in Beijing, Monday, Sept. 30, 2024. (AP Photo/Andy Wong)

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Fireworks explode over Victoria Harbour to mark the 75th National Day of the People’s Republic of China, at Tsim Sha Tsui in Hong Kong, Tuesday, Oct. 1, 2024. (AP Photo/Chan Long Hei)

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Hong Kong Chief Executive John Lee, fourth from left, and other officials attend a flag raising ceremony for the celebration of the 75th National Day of the People’s Republic of China in Hong Kong, Tuesday, Oct. 1, 2024. (AP Photo/Chan Long Hei)

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Flags of China are hung in a residential building to mark the 75th National Day of the People’s Republic of China in Hong Kong, Tuesday, Oct. 1, 2024. (AP Photo/Chan Long Hei)

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A Hong Kong police guard of honor rises China and Hong Kong flags during a flag raising ceremony for the celebration of the 75th National Day of the People’s Republic of China in Hong Kong, Tuesday, Oct. 1, 2024. (AP Photo/Chan Long Hei)

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A Hong Kong police guard of honor marches in during a flag raising ceremony for the celebration of the 75th National Day of the People’s Republic of China in Hong Kong, Tuesday, Oct. 1, 2024. (AP Photo/Chan Long Hei)

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A child holds a Chinese national flag to celebrate National Day as he joins other spectators watching a live broadcast of a tennis match during the China Open tennis tournament at the National Tennis Center in Beijing, Tuesday, Oct. 1, 2024. (AP Photo/Ng Han Guan)

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Helicopters carry China and Hong Kong flags during a flag raising ceremony for the celebration of the 75th National Day of the People’s Republic of China in Hong Kong, Tuesday, Oct. 1, 2024. (AP Photo/Chan Long Hei)

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Hong Kong Chief Executive John Lee, right, toasts with officials at a reception for the celebration of the 75th National Day of the People’s Republic of China in Hong Kong, Tuesday, Oct. 1, 2024. (AP Photo/Chan Long Hei)

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People gather near Victoria Harbour to watch fireworks to mark the 75th National Day of the People’s Republic of China, at Tsim Sha Tsui in Hong Kong, Tuesday, Oct. 1, 2024. (AP Photo/Chan Long Hei)

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FILE - People use smartphones to film fireworks exploding at Tiananmen Square as part of a gala evening commemorating the 70th anniversary of the founding of Communist China light up the sky in Beijing, Tuesday, Oct. 1, 2019. (AP Photo/Andy Wong, File)

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FILE - Chinese military aircraft fly in formation during a parade to commemorate the 70th anniversary of the founding of Communist China in Beijing, Tuesday, Oct. 1, 2019. (AP Photo/Mark Schiefelbein, File)

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FILE - In this photo provided by the Philippine Coast Guard, the Philippine coast guard vessel BRP Teresa Magbanua prepares to dock at Puerto Princesa, Palawan province, Philippines, Sunday Sept. 15, 2024, after being deployed for five-months at Escoda shoal in the disputed South China Sea. (Philippine Coast Guard via AP, File)

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FILE - Members of China’s People’s Liberation Army (PLA) Rocket Force march in formation during a parade to commemorate the 70th anniversary of the founding of Communist China in Beijing, Tuesday, Oct. 1, 2019. (AP Photo/Mark Schiefelbein, File)

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FILE - Chinese leaders including Chinese President Xi Jinping, center, stand on Tiananmen Gate above the large portrait of Chinese leader Mao Zedong during a parade to commemorate the 70th anniversary of the founding of Communist China in Beijing, Tuesday, Oct. 1, 2019. (AP Photo/Mark Schiefelbein, File)

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FILE - In this image taken from handout video provided by the Philippine Coast Guard, a Chinese Coast Guard ship with bow number 5205, right, collides with Philippine Coast Guard vessel BRP Teresa Magbanua near the Sabina Shoal at the disputed South China Sea, Saturday Aug. 31, 2024. (Philippine Coast Guard via AP, File)

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FILE - Chinese military vehicles carrying DF-17 ballistic missiles roll during a parade to commemorate the 70th anniversary of the founding of Communist China in Beijing, Tuesday, Oct. 1, 2019. (AP Photo/Mark Schiefelbein, File)

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FILE - Participants cheer beneath a large portrait of Chinese President Xi Jinping during a parade to commemorate the 70th anniversary of the founding of Communist China in Beijing, Tuesday, Oct. 1, 2019. (AP Photo/Mark Schiefelbein, File)

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FILE - Soldiers stand beside a M1167 HMMWV (High Mobility Multipurpose Wheeled Vehicle) anti-tank missile carriers during military drills in Pingtung County, southern Taiwan, Monday, Aug. 26, 2024. (AP Photo/Chiang Ying-ying, File)

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FILE - Chinese tank crew members stand at attention during a parade to commemorate the 70th anniversary of the founding of Communist China in Beijing, Tuesday, Oct. 1, 2019. (AP Photo/Mark Schiefelbein, File)

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Police officers stand guard as the fireworks explode over Victoria Harbour to mark the 75th National Day of the People’s Republic of China, at Tsim Sha Tsui in Hong Kong, Tuesday, Oct. 1, 2024. (AP Photo/Chan Long Hei)

BEIJING (AP) — China is marking the 75th year of Communist Party rule as economic challenges and security threats linger over the massive state.

No festivities have been announced for the 75th anniversary on Tuesday, save for a flag-raising ceremony at Tiananmen Square, with an honor guard marching from the entrance of the sprawling palace that in past centuries was the home of Chinese emperors.

The entirely state-controlled media ran constant reports on China’s economic progress and social stability, with no mention of challenges ranging from a declining birth rate to the disruption in supply chains that has harmed the largely export-driven economy.

Commemorations were also held in the former British colony of Hong Kong and Portugal’s former territory of Macao, both of which returned to Chinese sovereignty in the late 1990s in a key indication of Beijing’s determination to overcome what it has called a “Century of Humiliation.”

In recent decades, China has mounted military parades and displays of the country’s economic might only at the turn of decades, such as for the 60th and 70th anniversaries.

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The world’s second largest economy has struggled to regain momentum after the COVID-19 pandemic.

A prolonged property slump led to a spillover effect on other parts of the economy, from construction to sales of home appliances. Last week, China announced a slew of measures to boost the economy, including lower interest rates and smaller down payment requirements for mortgages.

Party leader and head of state Xi Jinping has largely avoided overseas travel since the pandemic, while continuing with his purges at home of top officials considered insufficiently loyal or being suspected of corruption or personal indiscretions.

“The road ahead will not be smooth, there will definitely be difficulties and obstacles, and we may encounter major tests such as high winds and rough seas, or even stormy waves” Xi warned during a banquet on the eve of the anniversary.

“We must be vigilant in times of peace, plan ahead, and rely closely on the entire Party, the entire army, and people of all ethnic groups across the country” he said, “no difficulties can stop the Chinese people from moving forward.”

The anniversary also comes as China is facing growing frictions with neighbors including Japan, South Korea and the Philippines over territorial claims and their close relationships with Beijing’s chief rival, the United States.

The Communists under Mao Zedong seized power in 1949 amid a civil war with the Nationalists, also known as the KMT, led by Chiang Kai-shek, who shifted their political, economic and military power to the now self-governing island democracy of Taiwan.

Beijing continues to insist Taiwan must be annexed under Communist Party rule, by force if necessary, while the U.S. has provided arms to ensure its defense.

China, meanwhile, has involved itself in disputes over its claims to most of the South China Sea and uninhabited islands held by Japan, the Philippines, Vietnam and other neighboring nations.

China’s military buildup and its recent launch of a nuclear capable ballistic missile into the Pacific Ocean have raised concerns about a possible conflict.

At home, Xi has made himself effectively leader for life by ending term limits and extending his power over key government and party bodies. China allows no competitive elections and the party retains near total control over the media that informs its 1.4 billion people.

Russian President Vladimir Putin congratulated Xi on the anniversary and the subsequent establishment of bilateral diplomatic ties, noting that Russia was the first country to recognize the People’s Republic of China 75 years ago, according to the official Xinhua news agency.

Xi reaffirmed their close ties, saying China would continue to expand “all-round pragmatic cooperation” between the two nations.